Ez squeezy condiment/dairy package

ABSTRACT

The EZ Squeezy Condiment/Dairy Package is an utility product that consists of a collapsible tube that is sealed on one end, and with a capable one-way valve opening on the other that is used to package and dispense different dairy products and condiments. The product can be provided in a variety of package volumes. This utility is for use of a squeezable tube to package, store, and dispense food products. The utility covers all use of such packaging for food products other than cake decorations and peanut butter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

40-6991096 78-6789700 6332560 5385747 46-6960040 83-6715521 D412834 5305932 67-6835019 124-6422433  5918783 4446677 69-6817810 6372313 5842605

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Development of this utility was without any form of Federal support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to the packaging, distribution, sale, and dispensing of food products, specifically condiments. Many condiments, such as sour cream, tend to separate into different phases when allowed to sit for any period of time. Previous approaches to this problem include adding synthetic additives and preservatives to the food product in order to keep the product from separating and spoiling. These “gelled” products are then placed in tubs and sold. On opening, the tubs allow excess air to contact the contained product, speeding the separation and spoiling of the product.

Another approach is to place the condiment in plastic jars that can be shaken prior to dispensing. These jars have a large footprint in the consumer's refrigerators, and because of their geometry tend to leak their contents when being shaken.

For restaurants, devices similar to caulking guns are used to dispense sour cream, cheese sauces, ketchup, and mustard. These devices tend to hold “commercial volumes” that are not readily applicable to household consumers.

Product packages that are similar to our utility patent application include:

-   -   Cake decorations     -   Toothpaste     -   Peanut Butter     -   Hand creams     -   Wood fillings and glues

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This utility invention overcomes the shortcomings identified in the previous section. Our product allows the condiment to be sold with fewer or no synthetic additives. The condiment can be mixed by squeezing the flexible tube prior to dispensing by opening the one-way cap and squeezing the product out.

The one-way cap also minimizes leakage while the product is being mixed. Because of the one-way valve opening, less air is allowed to contact the product, minimizing the oxidation and spoilage. Because of the mostly cylindrical geometry, less refrigerator space is needed to store the same volume of product. Finally, the volume of the tubes are more typical of the amounts used by household consumers than the commercial volumes available by “caulking gun” packaging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCT VIEWS

FIG. 1: Photograph of 8-oz and 14 oz packages, front view,

FIG. 2: Photograph of 8-oz and 14 oz packages, side view,

FIG. 3: Photograph of the one-way caps, closed

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a convenient way to store, mix, and dispense a variety of food products, specifically condiments and dairy. The invention consists of a flexible food-grade tube whose diameter varies depending on the volume the final container is to hold. For example, the 8-oz package has a tube whose diameter is approximately 2.1 inches, while the 16-oz package has a tube whose diameter is approximately 2.6 inches. The length of the tube also varies, from approximately 8 inches for the 8-oz size to approximately 10 inches for the 16-oz size. The bottom of the invention consists of a sealable approximately 2-inch flip-up cap through which the food product is extruded during use. The top of the invention is initially open to allow easy filling of food product, and is then sealed once the product has been filled. When filled and sealed, the invention is stored by standing on the sealable cap.

The improvement of this utility as opposed to earlier uses are:

-   -   The use of food-grade plastic tubing     -   The use to contain, store, and dispense condiment and diary         products. 

1. The utility patent for the EZ Squeezy condiment/dairy package is a more convenient: way to package, store and use a variety of “squeezable” condiments including but not limited to: Sour cream Mayonnaise Miracle Whip® Mustard, yellow salad style Mustard, deli style Pickle relish Ketchup (or any of its derivative spellings) Steak sauces Tartar sauce Horseradish sauce Cocktail sauce Bar-b-Que sauces (or any of its derivative spellings) Chip and/or vegetable dips Existing utility patents do not cover the use of squeezable tubes to package these types of food products. 